paigepea
Drama Llama
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Posts: 5,609
Location: BC, Canada
Jun 26, 2014 4:28:55 GMT
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Post by paigepea on Jan 18, 2015 20:50:33 GMT
Hi. I've decided to move on from Lost Lake and try something else. Any ideas? I'm always a sucker for a good story or a suspenseful page turner.
Hope everyone is having better luck than me.
Paige.
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Post by leannec on Jan 18, 2015 21:39:21 GMT
I finished Summer House With Swimming Pool by Herman Koch for our Refugee Book Club discussion this month ... I think there are a lot of interesting points in there that we can discuss  I'm almost finished the February book for my IRL Book Club called The Weight of Blood by Laura McHugh ... I thought it would focus on the murder of a teenage girl and it is actually all about the people in the community ... it's holding my interest  |
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Post by sugarmama on Jan 18, 2015 21:44:07 GMT
paigepea, I didn't care for Lost Lake either. I guess I just don't really care for sappy stories. I'm wanting to read a new one out called THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN. It's a mystery/thriller. I'll get to it eventually.
I'm about to read THE HARBINGER because a friend of mine loaned it to me.
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GiantsFan
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,294
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Jan 18, 2015 21:58:54 GMT
On audio I read The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman. It mainly takes place in Coney Island at freak show venue in the 1911-1912. It mentions the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire and Dreamland fire. So a fictional story twisted around actual events. It I really enjoyed it. I would say 4/5 stars. I'm thinking of using it as my pick for reading group.
On Kindle I read a Kindle First*, Miramont's Ghost by Elizabeth Hall. It started out with potential, but kind of dragged thru the middle. I guessed the "twist", and it needed some editing but I stuck with it and it was just OK.
Last night I started another Kindle First Flirting with Felicity by Gerri Russell. Total fluff! Hahaha.
I've also got the The Astronaut Wives Club going, but I'm finding it doesn't hold my interest, but was recommended, so I'll stick with it.
*Kindle First - you can download two FREE books one month before release date - you get to choose from four.
ETA: I also started The Whiskey Rebels on audio. I had to stop. I was confused and didn't know who was who. Has anyone read this? Should I try again or keep it on my DNF list?
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 19, 2024 5:35:39 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2015 22:04:12 GMT
I finished The Book of Human Skin by Michelle Lovric, it was a strange and not totally satisfying read. I don't think it delivers what it promises by any means and it's far too long.
I'm now reading Before I Die by Jenny Downham.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 19, 2024 5:35:39 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2015 22:05:40 GMT
I am reading Calling Me Home: A Novel by Julie Keibler. So far I'm enjoying it - I'm about a quarter of a way into the book. I finished Wild for our book club last week and I'm trying to squeeze in this book before book club meets.
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gottapeanow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,752 
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Post by gottapeanow on Jan 18, 2015 22:22:38 GMT
I finished Summer House With Swimming Pool by Herman Koch for our Refugee Book Club discussion this month ... I think there are a lot of interesting points in there that we can discuss I'm almost finished the February book for my IRL Book Club called The Weight of Blood by Laura McHugh ... I thought it would focus on the murder of a teenage girl and it is actually all about the people in the community ... it's holding my interest I am also reading Summer House with Swimming Pool but haven't gotten too far. I am not really into it yet. I read Weight of Blood last year and really enjoyed it. Interesting dynamics. The ending is great. This week, I finished Silver Bay by Jojo Moyes. My GR review is below: Wow. I grabbed Silver Bay on a whim at the library. Although it took me a little while to warm up to, I loved the story. The beautiful prose and rich scenery provide a wonderful backdrop for the plot that's a combination of romance and mystery as the readers cheer for the characters. Well, most of them, anyway. In true Moyes fashion, the viewpoint shifts between characters even though a couple of them receive only token nods. Still, each one speaks at just the right time, offering their perspective on the story line until the breathtaking ending. Personally, I surprisingly liked this better than Me Before You, the only other Moyes book I have read thus far. I will definitely be looking for the rest of her books. A very satisfying start to reading in 2015. 5/5 stars. I also zipped through another book called The Seventh Mother by Sherri Woods Emmons. It was suspenseful but the reading level felt like the 3rd grade, which seemed kind of strange. It's told between two alternating view points, an 11-year-old girl, Jenny, and the father's new girlfriend, Emma. The ending felt super rushed. 3/5 stars. Lisa |
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Post by slicksister on Jan 18, 2015 22:25:08 GMT
I keep track of the books I read on Shelfari. I missed my goal of one book a week by 4 books in 2014. My sister asked me for a good book recommendtion and I was looking on my Shelfari shelf and couldn't find ONE book I really loved this year! That's a travesty!!! LOL
I'm going to try and do better this year. Reading GOOD books. Right now I am reading Believing The Lie by Elizabeth George. I love me some Inspector Lynley and Barbara Havers.
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tuesdaysgone
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,832
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Post by tuesdaysgone on Jan 18, 2015 22:35:30 GMT
Two non fiction books for me this week.
The Ghost Map(Johnson) This is an account of the London cholera outbreak of 1854. It was not what I expected, but still very good. The author doesn't really focus on the victims of the epidemic; instead he discusses the politics and medicine of the age. It's really a sociological study of Victorian London. Recommended for anyone who loves to read about the Victorian Age.
I'm about to finish The Lost Tribe of Coney Island (Prentice) True account of a doctor turned entertainment promoter who brought 50 members of mountain tribe from the Philippines and put them on display in early 1900's Coney Island. Unbelievable by our modern day standards, but not usual in the 1900s. Well written and a remarkable look back at turn of the century life. Very interesting read!
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Post by annabella on Jan 18, 2015 23:36:14 GMT
I'm reading Yes Please - Amy Poehler
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Post by SockMonkey on Jan 18, 2015 23:37:06 GMT
I'm reading Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel and it's awesome.
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Post by pjaye on Jan 19, 2015 0:46:03 GMT
I finished listening to The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. This didn't really grab me. I knew it was fantasy but many of the main ideas weren't explained or explored. The main story is a duel between two magicians set up by their older guardians...but the reason for the duel is never explained even though it's the basis for the whole book. I also didn't engage with any of the characters. Great narration on the audiobook though. Disappointing 3 stars.
Next up was Among the Missing by Morag Joss, this is one of those 'broken people finding each other' books (which I like). A man responsible for a bus crash, an older pregnant woman whose husband doesn't want their baby and a young illegal immigrant couple are all brought together in a small UK town. Then there's a tragedy and at first it brings them together, but then their relationships start to spiral out of control. I think I listened to the last 20 minutes holding my breath! 4 stars from me.
Yesterday I finished All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. It's a new YA novel touted as "The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor and Park" which I think is an apt description. Theo has an undiagnosed mental illness and struggles with thoughts of suicide. Violet lost her sister in a car accident a year ago and her grief has stopped her doing everything she used to love. Then they meet and Theo teaches Violet how to live & love again...but he's still trying not to die. I thought this was excellent, poignant, funny and sad. 5 stars.
Today I started The Last Detective by Peter Lovesey. Picked this up cheap in an Audible sale several months ago. It's a police procedural/whodunit, which usually isn't my thing, but this sounded interesting so I thought I'd give it a go. |
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Post by GamGam on Jan 19, 2015 1:04:07 GMT
My thanks to the readers who recommended In the Kingdom of Ice. I found myself staying up late to read this one. It is NOT an easy read, but is very well written, and the fate of the explorers was unknown to me before I started. There's a lot of history here and focus on America as it celebrated the first Centennial. Some of the items introduced at the 1st Centennial were: the telephone, a monorail, a calculating machine, kudzu plant, Heinz ketchup, and bananas. But the story of the crew and their fight for survival kept me turning the pages late at night. I rate this book as 4 stars--I almost never giva a book 5 stars.
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lalakme
Shy Member
oPEAra Singer
Posts: 42
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Post by lalakme on Jan 19, 2015 1:27:26 GMT
I finally read Gone Girl. What an insane book! I mostly enjoyed it, but am still processing.
I also finished Outlander for my book club. I did not want to read it, as I didn't think I'd really like it. But, as it turns out, I did enjoy the overall story. I do think it could have been 200 pages shorter without all the hanky panky. That I could have done without.
And yesterday I read a fun fluffy read called Painting Kisses by Melanie Jacobson. Quick and enjoyable read!
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janeliz
Drama Llama
I'm the Wiz and nobody beats me.
Posts: 5,633
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Post by janeliz on Jan 19, 2015 2:35:16 GMT
I finished up Brooke Shields' There Was a Little Girl. It was an interesting enough look into a complicated mother/daughter relationship, but otherwise it was just average. It was a quick read, and Brooke Shields is likeable enough.
I don't know why it took me so long to pick up a Rainbow Rowell book, but I'm really loving Attachments. The characters are so genuine to me. Very funny and touching.
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Post by RobbyKay on Jan 19, 2015 3:39:04 GMT
Hi Pea Readers, I needed a quick read, so I picked up Jason Segel's Nightmares. It's a middle-grade book he co-wrote with Kirsten Miller. I loved it! It's about 12- year old boy dealing with the death of his mom, and his dad's remarriage. But it also has strong themes of friendship, loyalty and family. It even made me cry! I'm now reading Tommy Tenney's Hadassah: One Night with the King for book club. It's set in biblical times, and I'm about 15% into it, and a lot of people have been beheaded. I'll let you know how it ends next week. Hi. I've decided to move on from Lost Lake and try something else. Any ideas? I'm always a sucker for a good story or a suspenseful page turner. Hope everyone is having better luck than me. Paige. I think you're right about Lost Lake. I'm a fan of Sarah Addison Allen, and I read the book when it came out. I was so happy that she survived breast cancer and resumed writing, but I thought the book lacked some of the "sparkle" that I usually expect. I'm looking forward to her next book, First Frost, being released on Tuesday. Happy reading! |
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Post by powderhorngreen on Jan 19, 2015 3:53:42 GMT
Made it through Edge of Eternity by Ken Follett. This one was my least favorite of the trilogy, I guess because it came off more like a soap opera than the other two. But I am glad I read all three. I have a new policy for myself. I am going to wait until all the book sin a series are out and then read them all at once - or at least with less of a gap. That way, it is easier to keep up with what character is related to whom and how all the components fit together.
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Post by hollymolly on Jan 19, 2015 3:58:28 GMT
I'm wading through England, England by Julian Barnes. It was a slow start for me, but it's starting to hold me a little bit more. Overall, I don't think it will be one of my top reads of the year. I've had it since it came out in paperback, which was quite a few years ago. It's high time I read the darn thing and get it out of my house. Can you tell I'm on a de-cluttering kick?
I'm anxious to pick up the next book on my nightstand: The Passage by Justin Cronin. I am already so far behind schedule for my 2015 reading goals, and this one is so long that it won't help any, but I'm excited about it.
My Mom gave me Rick Steve's London for my birthday today, so I'm having a hard time putting that down now. I've also been pouring over my other (slightly older) London guidebooks as I work on the details of my itinerary for my trip next month.
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Post by sugarmama on Jan 19, 2015 4:50:55 GMT
hollymolly, I read THE PASSAGE. I liked it. If I remember correctly, it's a series (or supposed to be). I'll have to go check on goodreads and see how many he's completed so far.
ETA: Just looked on goodreads and the second book is called THE TWELVE. The third book is supposed to be out Oct. 2015.
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Post by disneypal on Jan 19, 2015 13:09:11 GMT
I am reading Calling Me Home: A Novel by Julie Keibler. So far I'm enjoying it - I'm about a quarter of a way into the book. That is what I am reading as well...I am about a quarter of the way in also and so far I am really liking it. |
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Post by alittleintrepid on Jan 19, 2015 15:06:22 GMT
I just finished Sue Monk Kidd's The Invention of Wings. Fabulous book! I don't know why it took me so long!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 19, 2024 5:35:39 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2015 15:07:34 GMT
I finished Winter Garden. While I ended up enjoying the book, there were several chapters/side plots that could have been totally left out and not affected the main part of the story.
I am now reading The Kitchen House.
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pudgygroundhog
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,643
Location: The Grand Canyon
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Post by pudgygroundhog on Jan 19, 2015 15:14:23 GMT
Made it through Edge of Eternity by Ken Follett. This one was my least favorite of the trilogy, I guess because it came off more like a soap opera than the other two. But I am glad I read all three. I have a new policy for myself. I am going to wait until all the book sin a series are out and then read them all at once - or at least with less of a gap. That way, it is easier to keep up with what character is related to whom and how all the components fit together. I agree. I find him to be such an uneven author. I liked this trilogy okay, thought the Pillars of the World books were fantastic, and whatever you do, don't pick up The Hammer of Eden (found it at used book store, took it on a trip - so bad it was funny). I always vow to wait to read a series until all the books are out, and I typically do this if I'm late to a series, but it's hard for me to wait on new releases! I've started writing book reports for myself so I can remember key details when I pick up the next book. |
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pudgygroundhog
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,643
Location: The Grand Canyon
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Post by pudgygroundhog on Jan 19, 2015 15:15:15 GMT
Yesterday I finished All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. It's a new YA novel touted as "The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor and Park" which I think is an apt description. Theo has an undiagnosed mental illness and struggles with thoughts of suicide. Violet lost her sister in a car accident a year ago and her grief has stopped her doing everything she used to love. Then they meet and Theo teaches Violet how to live & love again...but he's still trying not to die. I thought this was excellent, poignant, funny and sad. 5 stars.
I'm on the waitlist at the library for this one. Glad it was good! |
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pudgygroundhog
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,643
Location: The Grand Canyon
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Post by pudgygroundhog on Jan 19, 2015 15:18:03 GMT
Last week I read Lila and Just Mercy. Lila is the third in the Gilead series by Marilynne Robinson. I really enjoyed this one - her writing is beautiful and I liked the story (even if it was sad at times). I gave it four stars.
Just Mercy is a book I think everyone should read. It is about injustice in our justice system and it will break your heart and infuriate you. But there are also moments where you are so touched by the dignity and compassion of others. It's only January and I'll likely read another 95 books this year, but I'm pretty sure this will be one of the best I read.
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Post by lynnek on Jan 19, 2015 15:26:45 GMT
I finished Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng on audio. I think I am not an audio person. Partly because I started reading this when I was walking the kids to and from school, then the weather got cold and we stopped walking and I stopped listening.mi have listened a little bit here and there and finally got it done. So, I think the book suffered because of my spotty reading. It was a find story, just not my favorite.
I also read The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu. It is on the hot right now lists for YA books. It was a super quick read - I read it in a day. It is about a girl who is the subject of rumors about her and two boys at a party. Then one of the boys dies and there are rumors about her part in it. It is an interesting look at rumors and how high school kids behave and why. It was sad but not without a few bright spots and hope that kids learn from mistakes and learn to be less self centered and more caring for those around them.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 19, 2024 5:35:39 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2015 15:30:00 GMT
I finished Before I Die last night. It's hard to say I enjoyed it because of the subject matter but it was well written and kept me hooked til the end where I bawled like a baby  . |
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Anita
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,646
Location: Kansas City -ish
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Post by Anita on Jan 19, 2015 16:00:17 GMT
I just finished As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes. It was a breezy and fun book that I enjoyed because I love the movie.
I'm trying to push through Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult. I usually love her writing (not so much the twist endings she always insists on), but I am not loving this read. I'm not sure if it's because it's on my Kindle or what. I find I don't enjoy reading on there as much as a "real" book.
I just downloaded All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, and I'm hoping to find out if it's the Kindle or the books!
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Post by smokeynspike on Jan 19, 2015 20:33:15 GMT
I am reading Life Is Like A Sailboat by John Grogan. He is the guy who wrote Marley and Me. This work is a publication of his newspaper articles by the Philadelphia Inquirer written prior to the huge success of his book, movie, etc.
Melissa
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breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,919
Location: PNW
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Post by breetheflea on Jan 19, 2015 20:46:49 GMT
I'm reading the Hobbit and am almost done. The last time I read it was when I was about 10. I like the book but I don't understand how they could make 3 movies from this. Even 2 movies seems like a stretch...
I'm not sure what I'm going to read next, I'll be looking at this thread for ideas!
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